Albertans vote today in what will surely be a historic election—regardless of which party comes out on top. Opinion polls in recent days have indicated a major breakthrough may be in the offing for Alberta’s NDP, which would spell the end of the Progressive Conservative’s 44-year reign.
Alberta’s NDP won just four seats in 2012 with 9.9 per cent of the popular vote. Their popularity has skyrocketed in the current election. It remains to be seen, however, if that popularity, bolstered by leader Rachel Notley’s solid performance, will translate into more seats when the polls close tonight.
Also unclear is how the Wildrose Party will fare after former leader Danielle Smith along with eight fellow MLAs defected to the PCs in December.
All eyes will be on Premier Jim Prentice: will he make history by snapping a victory from the jaws of defeat, or will he deliver the party’s epitaph. Either way, the outcome of Alberta’s election will send serious political shockwaves across the country.